The Festive Touch

“For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Christ, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the Cross.”- Colossians 1:19-20

One of the most frequent questions posed during the holidays has to do with FINISHING things and checking them off the busy holiday lists many of us have.

“Have you finished the leftovers from Thanksgiving?”

“Have you finished decorating your house?”

“Have you finished shopping for gifts?”

“Have you finished work tasks before taking some time off?”

As important as it is to have things finished, this season needs to be more about experiencing and receiving the FULLNESS that Jesus delivered. In the fullness of time Jesus came to our world, born of a Virgin, on mission to deliver the hope of freedom to all humanity. In Galatians 4:4-5 the apostle Paul writes, “But when the set time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.”

- Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament proclamations and promises about the coming Messiah (Matthew 5:17).

- Jesus walked in the full authority of the Father and anointing of the Spirit to bring freedom to all bound by blindness, brokenness, and bondage (Luke 4:18-19).

- Jesus finished the work, paying for the penalty of sin and defeating the pain of death, by dying on the Cross (John 19:30/1 Corinthians 15:25-27).

As wonderful as seeing stockings filled above the fireplaces and presents wrapped around the base of trees, nothing we find there can deliver the fullness needed in life. The matchless gift Jesus offers cannot be found in stores, restaurants, mailboxes, websites, or bank accounts. John 1:16 is the season’s greeting we need today, “Out of His fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.” Stop the HOLIDAY RUSH of getting things finished and RECEIVE the HOPE of fullness from the Savior!